A Canadian national linked to child sex abuse cases in Thailand and Cambodia was arrested in Laguna province during a joint law enforcement operation, police announced Tuesday.

The suspect, a retired teacher from British Columbia, Canada, is the subject of an Interpol Green Notice, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.

Personnel from the PNP Intelligence Group’s Foreign Intelligence and Liaison Division led the 30 June operation in Barangay Caingin, Sta. Rosa City, in coordination with immigration and local authorities.

The suspect was convicted in Thailand in 2007 for sexually abusing a male minor and later served a prison sentence in Cambodia for sexually assaulting male teenagers aged 11 and 14, police records show.

The Canadian national also has a history of offenses in the Philippines. The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) apprehended him in 2016 for violating Republic Act 7610, the country’s law protecting children against abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

He faced the same charge again in September 2022 for allegedly molesting a male minor in Biñan, Laguna.

Nartatez said the arrest highlights the national police force’s commitment to supporting international law enforcement and ensuring the country does not become a safe haven for fugitives.

“The Philippines will not serve as a sanctuary for fugitives who prey on the vulnerable,” Nartatez said. “Through sustained cooperation with our international and local law enforcement partners, the PNP will continue to locate and apprehend individuals who seek to evade justice.”

“We will not stop searching for and arresting those who abuse children. We will ensure they are held accountable under the law and that our communities are protected,” he added.

Police officials said the operation aligns with a broader, intelligence-driven framework ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to enhance police operations and curb transnational crime.